Minister for Agriculture Dr. Mahendra Reddy has declared the cancellation of the 2020 Pigeon Shooting Season.
Dr. Reddy says the decision has been made as Tropical Cyclone Harold may have destroyed the nests and breeding places of these birds.
He says the recent cyclone has devastated a large portion of forests and wild areas and as a result the nests of Fijian Wood Pigeons and Fruit Pigeons have been destroyed.
Dr. Reddy says the Ministry notes that this move to prevent the shooting of pigeons will provide at least 12-months for an increase in the pigeon population, after which this decision will be reviewed.
The Ministry of Agriculture is advising people that had intended to take part in the Pigeon Shooting Open Season to refrain from it in order to allow for the mandatory recuperation of the bird species in light of the devastation caused by these preceding natural disasters.
